All The Babes
Kristy Mcnichol
Also known as Christina Ann McNichol, Kristie McNichol
Career
Active 1973 – 1999
Biography
About Kristy Mcnichol
Standing at 5'3" with a slim build and natural brown hair and brown eyes, Kristy McNichol is a retired American actress whose career spanned from 1973 to 1999. Born Christina Ann McNichol on September 11, 1962, in Los Angeles, California, she became one of the biggest teen stars of the 1970s. Her breakthrough role came in the film Little Darlings (1980), and she also appeared in hits like The End (1978), Only When I Laugh, and Two Moon Junction. On television, she was best known for playing Letitia "Buddy" Lawrence on Family from 1976 to 1980 and later starred as Barbara Weston on Empty Nest. She also made guest appearances on shows like Starsky & Hutch, The Bionic Woman, Love Boat, and Love, American Style.
In 1982, Kristy had a challenging year. She won a Golden Raspberry for The Pirate Movie, and while filming Just the Way You Are in France, she suffered a breakdown that halted production for an entire year. She later attributed this to the pressures of teen stardom and personal difficulties. Despite the setback, she continued acting and earned critical acclaim. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Dramatic Series three times from 1977 to 1979, winning in 1977 and 1979. She also lent her voice to animated series like Extreme Ghostbusters (1997) and Invasion America (1998).
In 1992, Kristy was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which led her to step away from the spotlight. She returned briefly for the final episode of Empty Nest in 1995, which marked her last on-screen performance. In 2001, she announced her retirement from acting, though she remained active as a teacher and in charitable work. In 2012, she came out as a lesbian, revealing her long-term relationship with Mattie Allen. She said she hoped her openness would help others who face bullying for their sexuality. Her courage in sharing her story has been widely appreciated by fans and peers alike.
Record
Profile details
Personal
- Years Active
- 1973-1999 (26 years active)
- Birthplace
- Los Angeles, California, United States
- Ethnicity
- Caucasian
- Sexuality
- Lesbian
Body
- Hair Color
- Brown
- Eye Color
- Brown
- Weight
- 117 lbs (or 53 kg)
- Boobs
- Real/Natural
Frequently asked
What roles is Kristy McNichol best known for?
She is best known for playing Buddy Lawrence on Family (1976-1980) and Barbara Weston on Empty Nest, the latter a spin-off from The Golden Girls.
How did her 1982 breakdown affect her career?
While filming Just the Way You Are in France, she had a breakdown that delayed production for a year; she cited pressures of teen stardom and personal difficulties as factors.
What was her last on-screen performance?
Her last on-screen role was the final episode of Empty Nest in 1995, after which she returned only as a voice actor in 1997 and 1998.
How did she contribute to music in the 1970s?
She and her brother Jimmy launched an album for RCA, promoted it at Studio 54, and it peaked at #20 on the Billboard chart.
Did you know
- Her brother Jimmy appeared with her in early ads and later starred in Alice, which helped boost her own career.
- The family moved to the LA area after Jimmy's success, a move that aided Kristy's career.
- She won a Golden Raspberry for The Pirate Movie in 1982, the same year she had a breakdown in France.
- In 2001, she retired from acting but continued teaching and charitable work.
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